Spring 2023 trends

The SS23 fashion shows showcased a dichotomy of styles, with shining embellishments adding a touch of day-to-night drama and beautiful floral patterns gracing dresses. Looking to stay ahead of the trends? Check out our guide for tips on how to rock the SS23 fashion trends today.

POINTED PERSPECTIVE

Square-toes have reigned over the past few seasons and collections but, for 2023, designers have sharpened their toes and are experimenting with '80s-style winklepicker silhouettes.

PERSONALIZED JEWELRY

Personalized jewelry has been especially strong since the pandemic, but I expect the trend to continue. These pieces are irreplaceable and worn close to the heart, a keepsake.

CANDYFLOSS PINK

Step aside fuchsia; there's a new shade to know. A softer, more pastel, candyfloss shade of pink is taking over next season, welcoming a less intense, more approachable way into the trend. Whether you wear it, it splashed across your look from head to toe, or invest in some saccharine accessories – you'd be wise to think pink come March.

FLOWER POWER

Florals for spring may not be ground-breaking, but they are always a feast for the eyes. Loewe led the charge for SS23 with provocative anthuriums-as-bra-cups on mini and maxi dresses, while Dries Van Noten and Carolina Herrera opted for prints in full bloom across floor-sweeping gowns and sharp suiting – tap into the look now with the latter’s painterly blue poppy top. For after-hours, Magda Butrym’s pink mini puts a playful twist on pretty florals with its romantic rose adornment.

BIG BAG ENERGY

Fashion likes to work in extremes; typically, you have the overtly oversized and the impossibly teeny tiny, (and everything in between is something of a footnote). For the past few seasons, we've seen the latter proportion dominate—Fendi created a microscopic version of its iconic Baguette, while Jacquemus's infamous Le Chiquito has handles bigger than its main compartment. No doubt about it, these bags are fun, but if you're more practically wired (I know I am), then you too will laud the return of the jumbo tote, as seen at Loewe, Bottega Veneta, Chloé and a slew of other designer heavyweights known for their arm candy.

SOFT_SHADE TAILORING

Tailoring is becoming increasingly popular during the warmer months, thanks to the industry leaning into softer, slouchier shapes. But for SS23, things get even more fairweather-friendly, with soft pastel shades dominating the suiting landscape. Rather than the pinks we've become accustomed to, though, next season,n it's all about pastel blues, greens, and greys.

SUMMER BLACK

As a fashion-world favorite, head-to-toe black rose to the fore in FW22 after seasons of bold and bright technicolor. And for SS23, designers are standing firm on the coolest of all shades, with all-black looks lending a polished feel to the summer collections as fit and fabric took center stage – from Versace’s sinuous cutout maxi and Valentino’s glorious gown to Dries Van Noten’s precision tailoring. For a more casual take, slip on Loewe’s ribbed ‘Anagram’ dress with ankle boots and a flight jacket or Cecilie Bahnsen’s sculptural skirt with a cropped blouse and loafers.

PARTY BAGS

Whether you’re planning to go all in on SS23’s sequin-drenched splendor or just want to add a touch of sparkle to your look, dazzling bags are set to charm us next season. Khaite’s vintage-inspired iridescent tote bags are the perfect accessory to offset evening gowns and cocktail dresses, while JW Anderson’s cool ‘Bumper’ bag in a lustrous finish will add daytime glamour to more pared-back looks. Meanwhile, Paco Rabanne’s dance-floor-ready ‘1969’ chainmail bag is an unexpected classic.

HEAVY METAL

Metallics are commonplace in autumn/winter collections, particularly as our social calendars fill up with glamorous after-dark pursuits we want to shine for. For spring, however, a surprisingly fresh range of shimmering gold and silver pieces has transformed the metallic trend into a perennial favorite. In lieu of lightweight lamé, there’s an exploration of thicker fabrications such as leather and packed-together sequins.

BASIC INSTINCT

In a diplomatic turn, designers have extended the lifespan of some noteworthy A/W 22 trends, continuing their exploration in 2023, ensuring we get adequate to wear out of the pieces we've already invested. Elevated basics are one such trend. Last season, there was an unmistakable '90s directive regarding minimalism, with logo vests, low-slung trousers, and tube dresses being hero items. Now, things have been pared back even further; sure, Y2K maxi skirts and oversized suiting are very much a thing, as witnessed on the runways of Peter Do and Roksanda, respectively, but the silhouettes are cleaner, and the color palette looks more expensive; think shades of teal, camel, and navy.

STATEMENT SHIRTS

That Lakeith Stanfield Oscars fit had everyone talking. The Saint Laurent jumpsuit was perfect, but it wouldn't have been the show-stopping look that it was without the wide lapel shirt that sat underneath it. Shirts like this were the most powerful weapon in the nighttime arsenal of 1970s style, whether in crisp white iterations to add subtle contrast or all-over floral prints for those that hadn't shaken off the '60s aesthetic yet.

THE CLASSIC POLO

The polo shirt reinterpreted  - the modern casual fashion piece in new fabrics In the 1980s, the polo shirt made its way from the tennis clubs into the everyday lives of many people. It is an all-rounder you can always rely on, although it is rarely the main piece of an outfit. International designers continue to reinvent the polo shirt in exciting versions – the polo shirt is therefore making yet another comeback in the spring/summer.

RETRO SPORTS

Vintage and retro sports clothing, from tracksuits to throwback sneakers, couldn't be more now. Retro sportswear is about as wardrobe-friendly as athletic gear gets. It may have been initially built with the track and field in mind, but its punchy styling, nostalgic charm, and comfort have seen it evolve into a menswear mainstay over the years.

THE 70s SHOW

2022 also sees a nostalgic revival of 70s fashion. Think patchwork, fringes, clogs, suede vests, and flared jeans. The trend is a celebration of the return of craftsmanship as glorified by Gabriela Hearst and Paco Rabanne's collections with their psychedelic prints and patchwork knits.